The Hitchhiker

*Flash back 3 years ago*

"God Tyra, your brother is some candy," Abby says from their stand on the field watching the game from the side lines, waiting for their turn to go on. It was the last game of the season and the Tigers had the upper hand. Niall was focused in his next moves, making sure that this season's cup is theirs, god knows how much he wanted the champion ring on his finger, something to be proud of when he heads to college next year.

It is half time and the cheerleaders run up the field, putting on their little half time show, until the players are ready to come back and finish the game.

Tyra cheered louder than ever, knowing how important this game is for her brother, praying they will win. She spots her mom in the crowd and sends her a fast wave.
Her mom smiles back, both hands in the air, Tommy's mom by her side, a big sign in her hands.

Tyra lets out a giggle when she reads what it's says- 'Nialler might be your QB but Tommy is mine!"
And mine, Tyra thinks to herself, as the team runs back onto the field. The cheerleaders stepped off, giving it back to the players.

Tyra is tugged back, and when her head turns to see who it might be, her eyes find Tommy's and she is up in his arms as he twirls them around, the rest of the cheerleaders rolling their eyes, while the team is whistling and calling him back before the coach loses it.

"Good luck QB," Tyra kisses his lips.

"Cross your fingers for us," He kisses her nose as he puts her back down, running back to his teammates, pulling his helmet back on, which is a good thing, since when he reaches them he gets hit on the head by his teammate.

"GO Ni! The cup is yours!" Tyra shouts out to her brother, who flashes a smile and holds up to fingers in 'v' style.

The game continues and the Tigers are doing well. Tyra and her friends are jumping up and down screaming for their team, the energy is high and the crowd is loud.

The connection between the football team and the cheerleaders is strong, the cheerleaders cheering for them every single game, while the team cheers for the cheerleaders at the cheer tournaments, with color on their cheeks and pompoms in their hands, returning the cheering favor.

When there is only 5 minute left to the game, the judge calls them to stop and the principal steps onto the field. The whole crowd boo's him, wanting the game to go on. Tyra glances at Abby, a confused look on both their faces as they tried to figure out what the hell was going on.

"I ask both teams to come stand here in two lines please," Principal Tanner asks his voice sounding all over the field as he spoke into the mic.

The team obeys, them too seem lost, not knowing what is going on.

"I want the cheerleaders to join us too," He asks of them, and Abby links her arm together with Tyra's as she pulls her onto the field.

Tyra stands in front of Niall and Tommy, Abby by her side as they wait to see what is going on.
"SO I know you all must be frustrated by me stopping the game at such a crucial point, but I assure you this is worth it," Principal Tanner says to the crowd.

"Beside me are two wonderful teams, and the cheerleaders who games would look nothing as they do without them.

"You got that right," Abby says, making the people who heard around them laugh.

"I would like to talk about our team for a moment though," He goes on.
"As you know, this is the last game of the season, and some of our players and cheerleaders are graduating and moving on to college next year. For example, our own QB Nialler," He points at Niall who has his fist raised up in the air as the crowd cheered for him.

"His lovely sister, Tyra right here, is on the cheerleading squad and thankfully she has another year before she leaves us too," The principal smiles at her.

Tyra reaches out and takes hold of her brother's hand, not liking the attention brought to them suddenly.

"I would like to share with all of you something about these two wonderful kids who gave so much to our school,"
Tyra's cheeks flush a bright red, as her eyes focus on the ground, embarrassment taking over her.

"Niall and Tyra, come every morning to school, a smile on their faces, taking big parts in school activities and clubs, making sure to make a change for their fellow students. I guess they got that from their father deputy Horan who spent the last 3 years in Iraq, making a change for the people there and for us."

The mention of her father brings tears to her eyes, as she misses him deeply, not seeing him for the past 3 years, him not able to visit, only using the phone or skype for conversation.
Niall brings his arms around his sister, pulling her closer to him, always looking out for her, as she had a soft and caring heart, easily moved by her strong emotions.

"I would like Tyra and Niall to step forward please, come on guys," He orders them to scoop to the front. Niall pulls Tyra after him, guiding her to the principal as she wipes her eyes dry.
"I have a surprise for you both," He smiles pointing to the far side of the field.

Niall and Tyra follow his out stretched finger, and a gasp escapes both their lips, though it was drowned by the cheers and clapping of the crowd and their friends around them.

Walking towards them were their mom and dad. Their dad in full uniform and as he got closer they could tell the tears on his face.

Tyra was speechless, fresh tears running down her cheeks as she watched in amazement as her dad and mom made their way to them, her feet not able to carry her.

Niall gave her a slight nudge to get her to move with him towards their parents.
It was enough to send her running, Niall keeping a few steps behind giving his sister the chance to reach their father first.

As Tyra got closer her dad opened his arms for her, bending down slightly so he could be at her level.
When Tyra collides into him he scoops her up in his arms, holding her tight in his grip as she clenched onto his neck crying.

"Daddy," She cried. Tears of joy gliding down, her mom crying too next to them, hugging Niall who reached them waiting patiently for Tyra to step back, so he could have his turn with their dad.

Their dad reached out to hug Niall as well as Tyra, the family reunion witnessed by the big crowd. Most of the girls and some of the guys were crying as well, touched by this event.
"I am so very proud of you both! I've missed you dearly," Their father said into their ears, hugging them tight.

Tyra couldn't get the tears to stop, her heart has never been so happy, and she was overwhelmed by him actually being in front of her, her being able to finally touch him, feel his flesh under her palms, not wanting to let go, scared if she does he might disappear, forgetting about the thousands of people around them, forgetting about the game they still had to win, all of her attention was on her family, and her returning father.

The principal paced over, shaking their dads hand, and offering him a seat in the front, so he could watch the game.

"Niall, you should get back to your team, they need you," Principal Tanner smiled at him.
Their mom wiped Niall's face clean from his tears before sending him off to finish up, while Tyra their mom and dad climbed the bleachers to take a seat. The people they pass standing and shaking their dad's hand, thanking him for his serves.

As they sit down, Tyra abandons her role as a cheerleader, choosing to sit with her mom and dad for the rest of the game.

Her tears finally dried, having his strong arms on her shoulders, having his scent reach her nose once again after such a long time.

You could see Niall's game change, him moving much faster, pushing himself to the limit, every eye watching knowing he isn't for the win any longer, but playing for his dad.
There are 2 seconds left and the ball is in Niall's grip. He breaks left looking to his sides, checking his options before throwing it across the field 11 yards to the touch down. The buzz sounds and the crowd erupts in a blast of cheer, the team running to lift Niall off his feet, winning the state champion, making history.

Tyra and her parents get up and make their way through the crowd, trying to push their way to Niall.

Niall on his side pushed through teammates tapping his back and screaming in his ear, looking for his family, eager to see his dad's face again, making sure he was actually there.
Where he spots them he starts running ignoring people calling his name, and grabbing at his sides, the only thing he really wanted was to get to them.

"Well done son," His dad pulls him into an embrace, laying his hand on the back of his neck, like he used to do when he was younger.
"I did it dad! I played for you," Niall smiled, noting Tyra wiping new tears, her and his mom both emotional train wrecks.

"You did son, I am the proudest dad in the world," He assured him kissing the side of his head.
The family walked off the field together, united once again after such a long time, stronger than ever, not knowing that in a few months they would be ripped apart, never being the same again.

Notes

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